All Is Well
Contrary to popular gossip, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety director Luv Ranjan’s film with Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone has not been shelved. There was talk the stars had distanced themselves from Ranjan after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour last year.
The model, who withheld her name, alleged in a press interview Ranjan called her for an audition and asked her to strip down to her underwear so he could check if she needed to lose weight. She said she had left the audition and alleged the film’s casting director called her later to tell her she had bagged the project and needed to attend a workshop with the three male leads at the producer’s office. During the workshop, she claimed, Ranjan took her to a room and asked if she was a virgin or used condoms. She has also claimed Ranjan repeatedly called and texted her to say she had misunderstood him, but never once apologised. In response, Ranjan issued a public denial, calling the allegation “absurd”. He also apologised through the media “for not being able to communicate my intent and for not being able to make someone feel that I am the man that I have aspired to be and I believe I am”.
Unfolding at the peak of the MeToo movement last year, this episode got less coverage than others involving more high-profile filmmakers like Vikas Bahl and Sajid Khan. But rumours quickly began swirling that actors like Devgn and Deepika who had voiced support for victims might ditch the film in the wake of these allegations. In fact the film was postponed, although Ranjan’s camp says the delay was only because two films Ranbir was meant to complete before starting this—Brahmastra and Shamshera—had gone on for longer than planned. Now it seems like the film is on track to go on the floor in February with both Ranbir and Deepika. There is some talk that Devgn is having second thoughts, but sources say that could be because he’s no longer sure he wants to play Ranbir’s father.
Noticed Yet Unnoticed
A prominent filmmaker, in pre-production on a big fat multi-starrer project, has cast in the role of the villain a young actor who delivered one of last year’s best performances by a male actor, in what was, as it turns out, a small, sadly less-watched indie. The funny thing is the filmmaker hasn’t watched the actor’s breakout performance (the filmmaker’s allergy to small-budget indie films is no secret) but is betting on the charisma and talent he displayed during the audition.
comment:
p_commentcount